Questions & Answers

Who Is The IBEW?

The IBEW was founded in 1891, our first local union organized in Canada was Local Union 93, Ottawa, in 1899. The IBEW represents over 750,000 members throughout Canada, United States, Panama, and Puerto Rico. The International Head Office is located in Washington, D.C. which houses our Museum, Archives, and a state of the art computer and research departments.

What About the IBEW Canada?

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers is a proud part of the Canadian labour movement. The IBEW in Canada has members and local unions in all Provinces and Territories, totalling more than 58,000 members in over 91 local unions.

Who runs the IBEW in Canada?

Canadian IBEW Local Unions enjoy full autonomy as part of a strong international organization. The IBEW Constitution Article 1 Sec. 2 fully recognizes the sovereignty of each of our great nations and the advancement of industry in compatible with the laws of each country and the objects of this constitution. All local union officers and delegates to the International convention are elected by the membership of that local union.

The International Vice President and the Canadian member of the International Executive Council are elected at convention by Canadian delegates. Only Canadian members are eligible to run for International Vice President of the First District-Canada and the Canadian International Executive Council Member.

What is the First District?

The First District is the IBEW in Canada. The office of the International Vice President of the First District is located in Mississauga, Ontario. The First District staff consists of 14 full time Representatives assigned to all provinces and territories.

How About Union Dues?

There are two parts to the IBEW dues structure – Local Union portion and the IBEW Per Capital.

The amount of Local Union dues is determined by the needs of the operational cost of each Local Union. The members of each Local Union set their dues, and only the members of that Local Union can change the dues by secret ballot. This portion of the dues structure is deposited in Federal recognized financial institutions and is controlled by the Local Union.

The IBEW Per Capita of $11.00 per month is set at the International Convention and paid by all members and can only be changed by the elected delegates to the Convention. This portion is sent by your Local Union on your behalf and is deposited in Canadian banks. These funds are used in part to fund the operations of the First District Office.

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, AFL-CIO, CLC

© Copyright 2007 IBEW.  IBEW is a registered trademark.  All rights reserved.  Material from this Web site may not be used on any non-union Web site or publication without expressed permission from the IBEW.  Links from this Web site do not necessarily indicate an endorsement.